Sedan: 2012 Hyundai Genesis

2012 Hyundai Genesis R Spec.

PHOTO: Hyundai, handout

By David Booth, National Post

Originally published: October 21, 2011

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When Hyundai announced the introduction of its new R-Spec version of the top-flight Genesis, its V8 growing to five litres and infused with 429 horsepower worth of bigger-pistons goodness, I all but ignored the fact that the base 3.8L V6 model, too, was being updated with GDI injection, Hyundai’s in-house appellation for injecting fuel directly into the combustion chamber.

But, where the R-Spec’s 44-horsepower jump renders an already sweet, strong motor into a sweet, stronger-still motor, the 43-hp increase to the base V6’s output elevates it from the status of also-ran to contender. Like the 5.0L Tau engine, Hyundai’s GDI system is accompanied by a compression ratio increase from 10.4 to 11.5:1. That alone accounts for most of the torque increase to 291 pound-feet, much of which occurs at low rpm.

That bulge in low-rpm pulling power accounts for much of the 3.8’s new-found sophistication. No longer does the V6 need to rev its little heart out to scoot the big (1,801-kilogram) Genesis along. Throw in Hyundai’s new eight-speed automatic transmission, which has the V6 revving lower, and you have a powertrain that doesn’t immediately demand the upgrade to the V8.

The same sense of relative improvement applies to the Genesis’s chassis refinement. The R-Spec gets low-profile 19-inch sport radials, larger hollow-beam stabilizer bars and shocks with a whopping 25% increase in damping stiffness. What was once a moderately sporting sedan is now plenty capable of running with the Teutonic crowd, at least on performance down a twisty road.

But, here, again the base V6 model impresses even more. Much more modest increases to spring rates and damping forces nonetheless render the 2012 Genesis V6 far less Lexus-like. A 5 Series BMW will still show the Hyundai its heels on a corkscrewing mountain road, but the base Genesis is perfectly capable in all circumstances.

There’s nothing merely adequate about the Genesis’ interior, however. Sized roughly the same as a Mercedes E-Class or a BMW 5 Series, the Genesis has similar amounts of leather. Ditto interior leg-and headroom and the LCD gauge set.

The Genesis, now more than ever, offers almost 5 Series and E-Class-like performance for less than the price of a Lexus ES 350.